M-1 RAIL officially dedicated its Penske Tech Center on Tuesday, marking the latest milestone in the construction and infrastructure for the QLINE — the Detroit-based streetcar, which will run along the Woodward corridor.
Located in the North End neighborhood, the facility is sponsored by Penske Corp. and named for Roger S. Penske who serves as the chairman of the board for M-1 RAIL. It will house the M-1 RAIL administrative staff and function as the maintenance and operations center for the QLINE streetcar vehicles.
Roger Penske, honored as part of the ceremony, touted the transformational impact of the QLINE. “A decade ago as we prepared for Super Bowl, we were boarding up buildings in this area,” said Penske. “Today, Woodward Avenue is becoming one of the most successful and vibrant corridors in our state and much of that has to do with this project.”
“The QLINE was made possible by the unprecedented private-public partnership fueling this project,” said M-1 RAIL CEO Matt Cullen. “QLINE is a catalyst for economic development and business growth, but it’s also as the first step toward creating a great regional transit system in Detroit.”
The Penske Tech Center was designed and constructed by Detroit-based Turner Construction after a thorough community feedback and involvement process to ensure the facility fit the character of the neighborhood.
The Penske Center will be the nation’s first vehicle storage and maintenance facility to operate completely off-wire. The first modern streetcar is expected to be delivered to the facility in the fourth quarter of 2016 when testing and safety certification will begin.
Funding for the purchase of the railcars comes from the nearly $220 million in additional capital dollars Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated in November 2025 to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
With major events and increased travel expected across the state this summer, the Administration is focused on making sure people have a reliable, affordable alternative to driving so we can reduce congestion, support daily commuters, and keep Massachusetts moving.
The final seven-mile segment of the 2 Line includes new stations at Mercer Island and Judkins Park and connects to the 1 Line at the International District/Chinatown Station. The Link light rail system now spans 63 miles and includes 50 stations.
From March 29 through May 9, shuttle buses will replace train service between Bridgeport Station and Norristown Transit Center. Train service will operate as normal between Bridgeport Station and 69th Street Transit Center.
Nadine S. Lee, who has served as president/CEO since July 2021, said the decision comes after careful reflection on the agency’s progress and its path forward.
In this edition of Biz Briefs, we highlight the latest developments shaping the future of mobility — from manufacturers and technology providers to transit agencies and motorcoach service operators.
As part of the contract, the AECOM-LiRo NYPennT Joint Venture will work with Amtrak and the selected Master Developer to completely transform Penn Station, improving safety and operational efficiency, making the system more family-friendly, accommodating increased train and passenger capacity, and delivering a world-class experience to its growing passenger base, according to Amtrak officials.
